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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
        
(Message started by: DannyV on May 10^th, 2007, 3:02am)

Title: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by DannyV on May 10^th, 2007, 3:02am

The pills[even administered 1 hour before an attack] and the spray do NOTHING for me.
Yet, low and behold, a lot of the time the injections save me.
The doctor who finally gave these to me years ago said to me that the tabs and sprays just do not work on us. Even when administered an hour, or so BEFORE the hit.
I seem to have read on here of people having success with other forms of Imitrex. I find that very hard to believe due to my own rigorous tests and studies. With many drugs! But thats another story.
Seriously, It's got to be migraine if that is the case right?

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by LeLimey on May 10^th, 2007, 3:39am

Imitrex was invented for migraine but most people suffering from migraines get relief from the tabs and nasals whereas the morbidity of our condition is such that the delay for them to kick in is considered unethical. This is why doctors should only give us the injections. In the UK it is only the injections that are licensed for CH so we have the right to demand them

Hope that clarifies a bit for you
Helen

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by DannyV on May 10^th, 2007, 4:30am

For me, as I said previously, Even when I took 1-2-3 tabs anhour ar so befofre a CH. NOTHING at all.
Injection-10 -15 minutes at most and I feel it get "sucked away. Then I am exhausted and lie down and try to nap. A scary proposition sometimes.
It is a catch 22. Im completly wiped out after an attack but am always afraid to nap.
There are new Imitrex injections that are 4 mg as opposed to 6. My doc[because I use 60 a month] wrote my last script for 4. It took me tons of red tape and dealing with the evil beaurocracy of my ins. co. to get the approval for 30 refils of the 6mg a month. Finally after they put my doc and his staff thru hell, they approved it.

NOW, that the same amount of refils are requested on the script, just at a lower dose, they have refused and want us to go back to ground zero with the paperwork again. They WILL continue to fiill the 6mg ones but not the 4. WTF? Im just gonna stay with the 6 and use the imitrex trick/tip. Although I have done a bit of a number on my arm doing it that way. I have developed some bumps where I inject.
Anyone have any experience with that?

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by Kevin_M on May 10^th, 2007, 5:31am

Quote:

I seem to have read on here of people having success with other forms of Imitrex. I find that very hard to believe due to my own rigorous tests and studies.

While oxygen is now a first line of abortive for me, the nasal spray trex had been consistently effective, in time, for a decade and still is if needed, as is the right amount of preventive can be also for clusters.

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by JohnM on May 10^th, 2007, 8:20am

on 05/10/07 at 04:30:08, DannyV wrote:

Im just gonna stay with the 6 and use the imitrex trick/tip. Although I have done a bit of a number on my arm doing it that way. I have developed some bumps where I inject.
Anyone have any experience with that?

Why would you inject in the arm anyway? The instructions on the imigran clearly show that it is recommended to inject in the upper/outer thigh.

Not only is there much more flesh there than in the arm, if you plan to use the "imitrex tip", how do you propose doing it with one hand??????

No wonder you have bumps on the arm

Using the leg leave both hands free to do the "tip"method.

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by birdman on May 10^th, 2007, 8:32am

The instructions I have show both arm and thigh as options. I usually use the arm because I am often not able to drop trough. Easier when in the office or outdoors to stick my arm. I don't want to waste the time finding a bathroom or private spot. I usually switch arms each time if I can remember.

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by ClusterChris on May 10^th, 2007, 8:41am

I am not recommending this at all, but as you sated about not wanting to find a bathroom or some private spot to inject your leg, I just go right through my pants alot of times. Usually when I have no choice because the pain is coming fast. But thats just me. again,I'm not recommending it just letting you know!

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by LeLimey on May 10^th, 2007, 8:50am

The only problem with that Chris is the thickness of your trousers! Imi pens are only subcutaneous - its only a little prick! ;;D If your trousers are too thick you'll just be injecting denim and that sort of doesn't really help!
Just something to bear in mind

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by birdman on May 10^th, 2007, 10:05am

Funny we are talking about this today as I just had a bad hit and the trex inj took a long time to kick in. Usually < 10 minutes, this time and once a few days ago, it took 20-30 min. I think next time I will try the thigh.

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by Bob_Johnson on May 10^th, 2007, 10:48am

Helpful read with directions for using triptans.

http://www.headachedrugs.com/pdf/ha2006.pdf

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by ClusterChris on May 10^th, 2007, 11:42am

Yes, you are right lelimey, I guess i should have been more specific. I don't use the pens, I gt the syringes and vials. So there is plenty of room to go through my pants (trousers).

As far as the trex taking longer to kick in, I get that every now and again as well. Not too often though. I guess some attacks are just more powerfull. If it doesnt go away in under 10 minutes, I start rubbing my thigh where i did the injection thinking that maybe some is still stuck in that spot lol. Just a habit i guess.

take care
Chris

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by chrisw on May 10^th, 2007, 12:46pm

I use the imitrex tip on the board, and the smaller dose works just as good as the full 6mg. I use my leg and after a few times it starts to look as if I am a battered wife or something. I cant seem to hold the needle still because of the shakiness I feel when I am in the middle of a bad CH. I really dont care about that however, because what is a few bruises to a clusterhead? Not much, right? I have always wondered about injecting straight into my head. Right into the temple area. I wonder if that would work any faster.

[smiley=huh.gif] [smiley=huh.gif] [smiley=huh.gif]

Chrisw

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by birdman on May 10^th, 2007, 2:32pm

I am startign to wonder if it is because I also take Paxil(paroxetine) for anxiety/panic attacks. I am aware of the dangers of Serotonin Syndrome but maybe it is causing problems with the trex. Too many med's for a 36yo guy to be taking.

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by ClusterChuck on May 10^th, 2007, 5:10pm

on 05/10/07 at 03:02:09, DannyV wrote:

I seem to have read on here of people having success with other forms of Imitrex. I find that very hard to believe due to my own rigorous tests and studies. ... ... ... ...
Seriously, It's got to be migraine if that is the case right?

WRONG!!!

Clusters effect and respond differently to different people. Just because someone gets results with the pill (although, not many do) or the nasal spray does not mean they have migraines.

BTW, I see no mention of the safest and cheapest abortive:
oxygen oxygen OXYGEN

Good luck!

Chuck

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by Brewcrew on May 10^th, 2007, 7:40pm

on 05/10/07 at 03:02:09, DannyV wrote:

I find that very hard to believe due to my own rigorous tests and studies.

One subject? Yourself?

Pardon me for sounding snide, but that ain't scientific. Not even close.

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by Linda_Howell on May 10^th, 2007, 8:03pm

yep. Rigorous tests and studies on ONE test subject is not scientific at all.

The Trex nasel spray works fine for me and I've been chronic for 20 years now. The shots take about 5 mins. The spray takes about 10 to 15...but the differance in price is remarkable.

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on May 11^th, 2007, 8:39pm

I definatley have a tender spot where i inject. I have noticed that in fat of the stomach rather than the fat of the ass or the fat of my thigh is much better.

I would also assume you got what we call a rebound. It is not the true sense of the term rebound headache, but it means you got a medication overuse headache by taking 1-2 even 3 tabs of the medicine. You are probably right, nasal spray and tabs are not good for you, but it could be because you used too much of it and got a rebound.

PF wishes
BMonee

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by chewy on May 11^th, 2007, 10:09pm

Quote:

Not only is there much more flesh there than in the arm, if you plan to use the "imitrex tip", how do you propose doing it with one hand??????

I've been doing the injections one handed in the arm for years.

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by Yorky on May 12^th, 2007, 1:15am

on 05/10/07 at 11:42:40, ClusterChris wrote:

any needle used should go straight in skin.

to go through material..you are risking contaminating

the needle end. (we dont have time usually, but you should also clean the skin with a suitable wipe)
to stop germs.

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by DannyV on May 12^th, 2007, 9:40am

I find that when injected into the arm muscle[forearm] it works faster.

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by JohnM on May 12^th, 2007, 12:24pm

on 05/11/07 at 22:09:44, chewy wrote:

I've been doing the injections one handed in the arm for years.

How do you manage to hold the vial and push an earbud down with one hand?

I find using 2 hands to do this much easier.

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by lionsound on May 12^th, 2007, 2:56pm

It takes THREE people to give me a trex shot using the imitrex tip ....

Myself, my husband to administer it, and someone on the phone from 400 miles away to give directions.;;D

Works like a charm :)

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by chewy on May 12^th, 2007, 6:40pm

Quote:

How do you manage to hold the vial and push an earbud down with one hand?

Simple. Push the needle up under the skin and let the vial go. It wont go anywhere. Then I use a small eyeglass screwdriver as a plunger and push in what I need.

Done

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by purpleydog on May 20^th, 2007, 1:28am

Why don't you ask your doctor for vials and syringes? The vials come with the same amount of trex as the stat dose, and it's much easier to split the shots that way.

I always inject myself in the stomach, it's easier. Works just as fast.

Title: Re: Imitrex Injections ONLY for CH. Right?
Post by rolo65 on May 25^th, 2007, 12:17am

When I used the imitrex pills, they didn't work for me ether. When I use it, I figured out that there’s about 60-65 units in a vial. Then use insulin syringes for 2-3 shots per vile, 20-32 units per shot. My script is for the vials that they use in the doc’s office, not the auto injector.

My Ins covers 10 vials every 20 days. I hope this is of some use to you in helping stretch what is covered, and the insulin needles are almost painless. PFDAN :)

Roland..